What role do gift cards serve in cashier transactions?

Gift cards serve as a method of payment allowing the use of prepaid funds, which makes them a convenient alternative to cash or credit cards during transactions. When a customer uses a gift card, they are drawing from a predetermined balance that has already been loaded onto the card. This means the customer can make purchases up to the amount available on the gift card without needing to handle physical cash or complete any additional payment processes.

While some gift cards might be restricted to specific stores or brands, generally gift cards represent a direct payment method rather than being tied to any specific items. Additionally, not all gift cards come with activation fees; many are sold without any additional costs aside from the value loaded onto the card. Lastly, while tracking customer purchases can be a benefit associated with gift cards in some systems, their primary role in transactions is as a form of prepaid payment. Thus, B captures the primary function that gift cards serve in cashier transactions.